Power conditioner and method of operating the same

Abstract

A power conditioner for supplying controlled power generated from a power source such as a fuel cell or a solar battery to a load. The power conditioner includes a main converter converting the output voltage of the power source; an auxiliary converter converting the output voltage of the main converter to a voltage that is supplied to BOP elements; and a direct connecting line connecting the output voltage of the power source to the auxiliary converter bypassing the main converter. Accordingly, because the voltage for the power to be supplied to the BOP elements is converted only once, the power loss can be significantly reduced compared to the power loss from a conventional power conditioner.

1. A power conditioner comprising:
 a main converter converting the output voltage of a power source; 
 an auxiliary converter converting the output voltage of the main converter to a voltage that is supplied to basic operating plant elements that incorporate operating components of the power source; 
 a direct connecting line connecting the output voltage of the power source to the auxiliary converter and bypassing the main converter; 
 a first ON/OFF switch disposed in the direct connecting line; 
 a second ON/OFF switch disposed in a line connecting the auxiliary converter to the main converter; and 
 a controller operating the first and second ON/OFF switches such that the direct connecting line and the line connecting the auxiliary converter to the main converter are operated one at a time. 
 
   
   
     2. The power conditioner of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage battery disposed between the main converter and the auxiliary converter. 
   
   
     3. The power conditioner of  claim 2 , wherein the output voltage of the main converter is reduced when passing through the storage battery and the reduced output voltage is supplied to the auxiliary converter. 
   
   
     4. The power conditioner of  claim 1 , further comprising an inverter converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage is disposed between the main converter and a load. 
   
   
     5. The power conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a fuel cell or a solar battery. 
   
   
     6. A method of operating a power conditioner comprising a main converter converting an output voltage of a power source to a voltage suitable to be supplied to a load, a storage battery charged with the output voltage of the main converter, an auxiliary converter converting the output voltage of the power source or the storage battery voltage to a voltage suitable to be supplied to basic operating plant (BOP) elements, a direct connecting line connecting the power source to the auxiliary converter, a line connecting the main converter and the storage battery to the auxiliary converter, a first ON/OFF switch disposed in the direct connecting line, a second ON/OFF switch disposed in the line connecting the main converter and the storage battery to the auxiliary converter, and a controller operating the first and second ON/OFF switches, the method comprising:
 turning on the power source; 
 operating the second ON/OFF switch to supply power from the storage battery to the auxiliary converter when the output voltage of the power source has not reached a predetermined level; and 
 operating the first ON/OFF switch to supply power to the auxiliary converter and bypassing the main converter, when the output voltage of the power source has reached the predetermined level. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 shutting down the power conditioner; and 
 operating the first ON/OFF switch to supply residual power from the power source to the auxiliary converter when the BOP elements are needed to operate in the shut-down mode. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the power source is a fuel cell or a solar battery. 
   
   
     9. A power conditioner comprising:
 a main converter converting the output voltage of a power source; 
 an auxiliary converter converting the output voltage of the main converter to a voltage that is supplied to basic operating plant (BOP) elements that incorporate operating components of the power source; 
 a direct connecting line connecting the output voltage of the power source to the auxiliary converter and bypassing the main converter; 
 a first ON/OFF switch disposed in the direct connecting line; 
 a second ON/OFF switch disposed in a line connecting the auxiliary converter to the main converter; and 
 a controller operating the first and second ON/OFF switches such that the direct connecting line and the line connecting the auxiliary converter to the main converter are operated one at a time, 
 wherein the power conditioner reduces power loss from conversion of voltage to the BOP elements and ensures stable operation of the BOP elements.